Q: How can I address a discrepancy between my sentencing and the release date I was given in county jail?
After being sentenced, the release date I was verbally informed of in the county jail does not match the sentencing. I have not received any documented notification about my release date, and I have not consulted a lawyer, as the county jail does not provide a legal advisor. How can I place myself back on the calendar to address this discrepancy?
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
You're right to be concerned—when your release date doesn’t match your sentence, it’s important to speak up. In California, if you believe there's a mistake in how your sentence is being carried out, you can file a **request to be placed back on the court’s calendar**. This is sometimes called an "in pro per" request or a motion to correct or clarify sentencing. You don’t need a lawyer to do this, though it helps if you can get assistance from someone familiar with court procedures.
Start by writing a simple letter or motion to the **clerk of the court where you were sentenced**. Include your full name, case number, sentencing date, and explain clearly that you are requesting to be heard regarding a possible error in your release date. Attach any documents you do have—like your sentencing paperwork or any jail communication—and ask for the matter to be placed on calendar for clarification. Be respectful and stick to the facts.
You can also ask jail staff if they have a process for filing legal paperwork or getting help from an inmate legal assistance program. Even if no legal advisor is available, they are supposed to let you access forms and mailing tools. You're not stuck—you have the right to raise concerns about your sentence and make sure it's being carried out lawfully. Stay persistent, and keep copies of everything you send.
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